A/N: So... it's been awhile. I kept on wanting to post, but couldn't find the motivation to finish the chapter before you. I've also sort of stopped reading fanfiction because I was completely addicted, and it really wasn't healthy. But I got a message that said they were sad my story stopped here, so lo and behold, here I am. Enjoy the chapter before you.

Remus

A shabby trunk. Brown coatings of paint peeling off, worn from hundreds of uses throughout generations. In faded writing, his parents had gotten his name written on the trunk. There were no designs, no carvings in the plain brown color. No excessive writings, or pictures.

But it was his.

And it would be his for the next seven years. It would sit at the end of his four poster bed, maybe a spare roll of parchment on top of it. There might be a loose end from a cloak or scarf hanging out of it, and the curtains might get caught on its corners.

And this would all happen at Hogwarts.

He had heard of the school; it was where his father went to receive his education. He had heard countless stories of the stone hallways, forbidden corridors, and plentiful broom closets. But to him, it had always seemed like a dream that could never come true. Hogwarts was somewhere where normal witches and wizards went; not monsters such as himself. He would never go to Hogwarts.

But just over a month ago, his letter had came. Of course, there had to be certain arrangements made. They couldn't just let a monster like him roam the halls on the full moon. But still; it had to be better than the cramped basement, fitted with countless locks.

Though, his parents would no longer be able to be outside the door as he transformed every month, whispering encouraging phrases to him; making the process a little more bearable, if only a bit. He would be going through everything alone.

But at the end of the day, that's how it always was. He was always left alone, afraid and in solitude once more. Less than a year after he was bitten, he had become good friends with a young boy around his age. His parents were both magical, and weren't alarmed by his strange magic outbursts, enhanced because of his being a werewolf.

The boy and him did everything together. At muggle primary school, they were in the same class, and the two were inseparable.

But the day came when Remus had let it slip about his condition. He was just a little boy, and he didn't understand what the consequences would be if he told Quirinus of his condition.

Quirinus had run, crying to his mother, screaming of how 'the monster' was going to get him. Remus had been downcast, his previous elation at making his first real friend gone. From that point on, he had avoided relationships altogether, because at some point they would figure out what he was, and he would be left more alone than ever before. Yes, it was much simpler if he tried to distance himself from everyone except for his mum and dad.

As much as his parent's hated to admit it, they were poor, and it was all because of his lycanthropy. They tried to support him as much as possible, but it was difficult. For a few years after the bite, the three of them had travelled all over the world, looking for a cure, only to return downcast. He would have to suffer through the excruciating pain of transformation once a month, but how befitting for a monster like himself. He didn't deserve anything more than pain.

His self loathing only increased as time went on. And although his parents tried to convince him otherwise, he would always consider himself unworthy of every little thing that he got.

But now, now he was going to Hogwarts, a place he never thought he would get to see. And it was all thanks to Dumbledore, his pedestal now even higher above the rest. He swore to himself that he would get perfect grades; one slip-up and he could be gone. He would try his hardest, prove to the world that there's a 'who' behind the 'what'. There was more to him than the monster he was. He would show them. He would show them all.

Optimistic as he was, he would not allow his head to fly into the clouds. He realized he probably wouldn't have friends, but it was a fair tradeoff, seeing as he had his books and he didn't need any more than that. His books were a constant, they couldn't turn their back on him like people could. They couldn't hurt him, abandon him, and plus, they were full of people, so really, Remus got all the socializing he needed from them.

He had finished packing weeks ago in anticipation for today, but he had unpacked and repacked his stuff since then, organizing and reorganizing his small collection of mementos over and over again. Mostly, pictures of his parents, as he knew he would miss them terribly, and knew he would need reminders of them wherever he went. They had always been there for him, through thick and thin, and they looked on even now, tears shining through their pride. Their boy was so strong, and had gone through so much, and although he would be gone, it wouldn't be forever. They realized he was bright, but never though, with his lycanthropy, that he would be able to get a true education. And they were terrified, yes, but they knew that he would make it through, because he was so strong. And he was Remus.

With that, Remus was whisked away to the train station that would take him on a whole new adventure.

A/N: So I REALLY don't want to have to do Peter, since he's such a boring character and I feel like I would not have motivation to do it (Plus, I want to get to the exciting stuff!) so would anyone care if I skipped Peter's introduction chapter? Please tell me your thoughts. I want to get to 11 reviews total before I post the next chapter, whatever it ends up being. Bye!